An NFL Network report hints that Hakeem Nicks wore out his stay with the Giants this season. (Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News)

It's not just Hakeem Nicks' play that could lead the Giants to go in a different direction this offseason.

According to the NFL Network, Nicks was fined "multiple times" by the team this season. The fines reportedly stemmed from two issues. He was repeatedly late this season - a serious offense in Tom Coughlin's straight-laced regime - and he also apparently missed several treatments.

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Nicks' agent, Peter Schaffer, did not immediately respond to a text message for comment. But according to the NFL Network, these issues are going to lead the Giants to part with Nicks, who will be a free agent this offseason.

The Giants initially seemed open to a Nicks return this offseason, when owner John Mara went as far as pointing out that the receiver played through injuries in 2013, and Nicks himself seemed to express interest in a return, saying just a few weeks ago, that "we all know that this is where I want to be."

But Nicks also isn't essential, something Victor Cruz pointed out recently. The Giants also seem to have some depth at the receiver position, with Cruz providing a steadying force, Rueben Randle flashing potential, and Jerrel Jernigan set to build on his late-2013 breakout.

Nicks provided a big-play element to the Giants in years past, but he was clearly not the same weapon in 2013, and he's fought through injuries the last two seasons. While it's tempting to believe that he can still be a 1,000-yard force, it's also entirely possible that his health issues have robbed him of his breakaway ability, and he will never quite be able to separate from receivers as he once did.